Arsenal Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal English Top Division Fixture

Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League contest as front-runners Arsenal welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Team News

Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes following the team that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back is back after missing five matches through injury.

The visitors also have made three changes to their starting XI following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde is omitted altogether.

Starting Elevens

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Bench: Arrizabalaga, Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Johnstone, Mosquera, Agbadou, Toti Gomes, Doherty, Joao Gomes, Andre Trindade, Krejci, Wolfe, Larsen, Hwang.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Match Context

Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …

The table reveals a clear contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves prop up the league.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team propping up the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!

^{(The remaining last-over-first victories in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}